X-Men: Black Fire

By Paradox

BOOK II

1

About a year later.

Winchester, the X-Mansion

Kitty grunted as she shoved the last article of clothing into a black bag with the decal of a black X in a red circle on it. After she zipped the bag up, she took one last look around the room, making sure she didn’t forget anything. Several changes of clothes, shoes, socks, underwear, a couple books for lazy days, a laptop computer integrated with the latest Shi’ar technology, and definitely not her X-Men uniform. “Looks like I’ve got everything,” she said to herself, picking up the bag and slinging the shoulder strap. Using her mutant ability to make the molecules of her body unstable enough to pass through solid objects, Kitty phased through the walls of her room and literally walked through the mansion until she reached the living room, where most of the rest of the X-Men were lounging about. A blue furred devil with yellow eyes and a pointed tail looked over at her from his spot in the room, clinging upside down to the chandelier. “Hello Kitty, all ready for your little trip?”

“Yup,” Kitty said with a smile, “All I gotta do is get to the airport and catch my flight.”

“You know we can fly you Kitty,” the devil said.

Kitty shook her head. “No thanks Kurt, I’d rather not get shot down before I had my vacation.”

Nightcrawler chuckled and nodded. “Very well, but I just wanted to make the offer.”

“Kid probably wants to get away from it all and fly commercial anyway, huh Kitty?”

Kitty looked over at the short man seated in an easy chair in front of the television, a beer in one hand and a smoking cigar in the other. “Yeah, that’s about right Logan. I want to just try and do stuff like a normal person would.”

Logan nodded. “Yeah, I can see your point. Have a good trip.”

“Say hello to Lila for us,” Nightcrawler added.

“I will,” Kitty said before rushing out of the mansion. When she got outside, a hulking man with close cropped black hair stood waiting next to a sedan.

“Are you ready to go Katya?”

Kitty nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I can’t thank you enough for driving me Pitor.”

Colossus, the strong arm of the team, smiled and nodded back, opening the passenger door for her. “Thanks,” Kitty said, throwing her bag in the back seat and dropping down into the front seat. Pitor got behind the wheel and started them off to the airport.

For a long time, they were both silent, neither knowing what to say to the other. For a time, Kitty and Pitor had been seeing each other, but that time had passed. Now, they remained good friends and close teammates. Sometimes, Kitty wondered what it might have been like if they had stayed together. Would he still have gone off and joined the infamous Magneto’s Acolytes? Would he have stayed with the team? Would he even be alive?

Shaking her head of the thoughts, Kitty turned and smiled at her driving companion. “So, what are you guys going to do while I’m gone?”

Pitor shrugged. “I do not know. I am sure we will train, but beyond that...” His voice trailed off and he shrugged. “Do not worry about us Kitty, if anything comes up, we will be able to handle it. You just enjoy yourself, you’ve earned the rest.”

“Yeah,” Kitty said whimsically. Rest was just what she wanted, rest and quiet. Yet, she was an X-Man, and rest seemed to always be the last thing she got, vacation or not. “Just do me a favor.”

“What is it?”

Kitty grinned at her friend. “If the world is about to come to an end while I’m gone, lose my phone number, ‘kay?”

They both couldn’t help but laugh.

* * * *

Chicago

“What’s the situation?”

The young man in the long, black leather coat looked over his shoulder, a cigarette dangling from his lips. “You’re going to have to specify Priest, there’s a lot of those out there tonight.”

Priest, Prince of the vampires in Chicago and several other states, rolled his eyes and leaned his forehead on his hands on the desk. “Please tell me that Ash isn’t tearing up Clark street and I’ll be a little happier.”

The young man in the long coat shrugged. “Last I heard, he was dealing with the new Glass Walkers that had come into the city.”

“Good,” Priest said and sighed, “That last Sabbat attack really screwed the town up. What’s the latest from the Watchtower?”

“We’ve got two sightings. I’ve already dispatched Samantha to get to work on them. If we’re lucky, we’ll get them in employment in a matter of weeks.”

Priest cocked an eyebrow. “You’ve gotten awful cold recently Cole, something bothering you?”

Cole Raven, mage and the Prince’s Shadow, shrugged and took another drag from his cigarette. “Maybe I’ve just gotten used to being who I am.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Cole waved the question away. “Forget it. Anyway, we’ve got something else to worry about.”

“What’s that?”

Cole turned away from the window he was looking out of and walked over to Priest’s desk, tossing a photo onto it. The Prince took the photograph and looked at it. The image of a smiling woman with short black hair looked back at him. “Nice looking lady.”

“Name’s Lila Chinney,” Cole explained, “She’s coming into town tomorrow for a show at Dock 5 for its grand opening.”

“Yeah, I know, Jessica spoke to me about her already, your point is?”

Cole sighed and took another drag. “The point is, she’s been affiliated with the X-Men, and you remember what happened last time we got involved with them.”

“Yeah,” Priest said with a smile, “You fell in love.”

Cole shot Priest a look that made the vampire chuckle. “Yeah, yeah,” he said, “I know, you don’t want to talk about it.”

“Try and remember that Priest,” Cole said low.

“All right, all right, I’m sorry. So, why are you so concerned with Chinney coming to town?”

“Because,” Cole said with an exasperated sigh, “When the X-Men are involved, even those who have once worked with them, things go crazy. I don’t want Chicago to go to hell and us not be ready for it.”

Priest sat back in his chair and folded his hands under his chin. “Okay, so what do you want me to do about it?”

Cole walked back over to the window and looked out at the city lights, some stationary, some moving rapidly. It was like watching a Christmas tree on a grand scale. “I want Ash and Hammer, with Flexor backing us up.”

“For what?”

“We’re going to stay with this Chinney character until she leaves. If something happens The three of us will handle it best we can while Flexor hauls ass back here for reinforcements.”

Priest shook his head and closed his eyes, massaging his temples as though he had a headache. “Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“Don’t care,” Cole replied, “It’s prudent and we’re just starting to recover from that clan war. We need to take extra precautions. Besides,” he said with a look of distaste, “I reviewed Jessie’s security list.”

Priest looked at him knowingly. “Not impressed?”

“Let’s just say I hope that Hex doesn’t show up, or we could be in trouble.”

Priest nodded, smiling at the thought of his vampire aid who was slightly out of touch with the times, considering he had gone into hibernation in 1889 and had just recently arisen. “All right, I’ll give you the three, just don’t get them killed, okay?”

Cole looked over his shoulder at the vampire and smiled for the first time that night. “Since when has anyone died on my shift?”

Priest returned the smile, a look of confidence on his face that disallowed anyone to think differently than him. “Never, that’s why you’re still with me.”

* * * *

As Kitty stepped from the plane, she was greeted by the bustle and noise of the world’s busiest airport, O’Hare International Airport. Everywhere around her, people rushed to and from planes, intent on their destinations as though nothing else mattered to them. Several people jarred Kitty on her way to the baggage claim, but she said nothing. All she could do was look around, a grin on her face. It felt good to be home indeed.

After quickly getting her bag, Kitty made her way to the exit of the airport with the intentions of catching a cab to the hotel she had booked reservations for. She was just about outside when a hand clapped down on her shoulder. Instinct took over and Kitty spun, gripping the arm in a wrist lock and forcing the owner to their knees. “Okay, just who are you?” she said threateningly.

“Kitty, do you always greet people this way?”

Kitty gasped and quickly released the arm. “Oh Lila, I’m so sorry! I had no idea it was you, really.”

Lila Chinney, famous rock star and mutant friend of the X-Men for many years, stood up, brushed herself off, and beamed at the younger woman. The two embraced and Lila said, “Don’t worry about it Kitten, I know all about what you and the rest of the team have been through.” They broke apart and Lila led Kitty outside. “So, what are you doing here?”

“Actually,” Kitty admitted, “I’m here to see your concert and do some relaxing.”

“No kidding? Well, you’ll just have to stay with me and the band at our hotel.”

“Well, I wouldn’t want to impose on you.”

Lila waved the statement away. “You wouldn’t be imposing, believe me. Come on, we’ve got more than enough room. We’re staying at the Waldrof.”

Kitty’s eyes widened. “Really? Wow, that place isn’t cheap.”

Lila shrugged. “Well, the place we’re playing for is spotting the bill. It’s a new alternative club and they wanted a big name there for their grand opening night.”

“Well, I’m not so sure...”

“I’m not taking no for an answer,” the rocker said with a twinkle in her eye.

Kitty sighed and smiled. “All right, you talked me into it.”

“Great!” Lila clapped her hands and pulled Kitty to a black stretch limo that sat along the curb. When the driver opened the door for them, Kitty gave the other woman a surprised look. “A limo?”

Lila shrugged. “Hey, not my idea.”

“Whose?”

“The owner of the club. I guess they really believe in that five star treatment.” They slid inside and both looked around in awe. The interior of the limo was nothing short outstanding. There was everything from a small television, to a full wet bar. Almost instantly, Lila went for the bar and poured two glasses of wine. She handed one to Kitty and lifted her own. “To being treated right.”

Kitty lightly clinked her glass against Lila’s. “To old friends.”

“Amen.” They both drank and fell into a comfortable mode of gossiping and catching up on old times. For a while, the two felt like ordinary people, not mutants with superpowers who spent most of their time trying to save the world from super powered villains. By the time they reached the Waldorf hotel, Kitty felt thoroughly relaxed and was looking forward to going to the concert that night. The two young women rushed from the limo, giddy and giggling from excitement and alcohol. After checking in, the two took an elevator up to the penthouse suite. As soon as the elevator doors opened the doors, Kitty gasped. “Wow, nice room.”

“Yeah,” the rocker agreed as they walked into the suite and began exploring.

Indeed, it was one of the nicest hotel suites the two had ever seen. It encompassed the entire top floor and was equipped with rooms for guests, a swimming pool, sauna, a bathroom that could house ten people at once comfortably, and almost anything else one would want. “This place must have cost a fortune to rent,” Kitty remarked quietly as they stopped in the living room area with its huge forty inch screen television, “I’ll bet whoever set you up here is paying a pretty penny”.

“Actually, I own it.”

The two spun around, each ready to defend themselves if necessary. While Kitty phased instinctively, Lila already had a place in mind to teleport to, should the need arise. Yet when the attractive woman in the dark blue dress did nothing but smile kindly at them, they relaxed, somewhat. “Who are you?” Lila asked before Kitty could.

“Jessica Rollins,” the woman said, walking over to them and holding out a manicured hand, “I am the owner of Dock 5 and this hotel.”

Lila took the hand and shook it, raising an eyebrow. “Why own both a club and a hotel?”

“To have a place for my singers and bands to stay when they come to Chicago, of course.” She spoke as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

“Oh, of course.”

Jessica smiled brightly at Lila and turned to Kitty. “And are you a member of her band?”

“Uh, no,” Kitty said hesitantly, “I’m just a friend.”

“I see,” the woman said, looking the young woman up and down with eyes so hungry it made Kitty squirm, “Do you happen to have a place to stay in Chicago?”

“Well, I was kind of planning on staying with Lila here.” She looked over at the rocker with an unspoken cry for help.

“Yes,” Lila agreed heartily, walking over and looping her arm through Kitty’s, “Kitty will be staying with me, I can see there is more than enough room.”

Jessica shrugged, an eloquent and faint motion of her shoulders. “If you wish it,” she said in a musical voice, “But I was simply going to offer you a room of your own, free of charge.” She lifted a hand when Kitty opened her mouth to speak. “I understand, it is not the penthouse, so I will understand if you refuse.”

Kitty’s mouth worked, but no sound came out. “You’re just willing to give her a room and she’s not even part of the band,” Lila asked wearily.

“Certainly,” Jessica said, a peculiar gleam in her eye, “Any close friend of my singers is more than welcome to stay in my hotel for free. I find that with their inspiration and support, it helps the singers to perform better than normal.”

The two mutants looked at each other and shrugged. “Okay with you?” Lila asked.

“Okay with me, okay with you?”

“Okay with me.”

They both turned and looked at Jessica “Okay,” they both said at the same time before bursting into giggles.

“Excellent,” Jessica said, clasping her hands before her breasts in excitement, “I can send someone up to fetch your bags right away.” She glanced down at her watch. “Oh, I would hurry, you do only have a few hours until the show begins.”

Kitty looked at her watch and her eyes widened in surprise. When she looked out the window, the time was confirmed. It was indeed six o’clock at night. Where had the last few hours gone. “I guess I should get down to my room and unpack.”

“Yeah,” Lila agreed, “I should get ready too. I’ll meet you downstairs at eight and we can head over to the club.”

“Sounds good,” Kitty said, turning to Jessica, “Okay, let’s g-” the words froze in her throat.

Jessica no longer stood in the room. Instead, a young man in a bellhop’s uniform stood in her place, looking expectant. “Can I get your bags miss?” he asked politely.

Kitty shook her head in confusion. “Where the hell did you come from and where did Ms. Rollins go?”

The bellhop shrugged. “Ms. Rollins let me in and left herself only a moment ago. I suppose your conversation had a full hold of your attention, so you did not hear me enter.”

Kitty narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She didn’t believe a word the guy had just said. After having spent most of her young adult life with the X-Men and their off-branch team, Excalibur, Kitty’s instincts had been honed to a razor’s edge. Something just was not sitting well about the whole situation. When she looked over at Lila, she could tell the rocker had the same feelings. She gave Kitty a look that said, Go with it, but stay on your toes. Kitty returned the look with a minuscule nod and looked back at the bellhop. “Okay, let’s go.” She handed him her black bag and let him lead her to the room.

The hotel room Jessica had supplied her with was one floor down, and was by no stretch small. The room itself had a king sized bed, full bathroom with whirlpool and sauna. There was even a little kitchenette and family room. When the bellhop led her into the room, he placed her bag on the bad and turned to her, holding out two card keys. Kitty raised a questioning eyebrow. “Two?”

“One for your room and one for the penthouse suite, Miss.”

“But, I’m not staying in the penthouse.”

The bellhop remained impassive, giving Kitty no clue as to what he was thinking. “I was instructed by Ms. Rollins to give you a card key to the penthouse, should you wish to go up and visit your friend.”

“Oh,” Kitty said, taking the card keys.

“Will there be anything else Miss?”

Shaking her head, Kitty dug into her pocket, pulling out a five dollar bill. “No, thanks.” She pressed the bill into his hand and the bellhop immediately turned and left the room. When the door closed and locked, Kitty sighed and sat down on the bed, looking around the room. It was definitely nicer than anything she would have been able to afford if left to her own devices. Oh well, she thought, I’ve got it now.

Looking at the clock on the wall, she saw she still had an hour and a half until she needed to meet up with Lila at the front desk. Glancing at the bathroom door, she muttered with a smile, “Well, since I do have this place...”

With a joyous cry, she rushed to the bathroom, stripping off her clothes as she did. An hour and a half was more than enough to allow her a good pampering that she hadn’t had in a long time.